This Stingray Couldn’t Swim
We are entering the peak months of the Atlantic hurricane season (August through October) and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration scientists are predicting an 85 percent chance of above-normal hurricane activity in 2007. Here’s what one thoughtful owner did to protect his car against Hurricane Isabel, and what you can do to protect yours.
Car: Red, 1970 Corvette Stingray convertible, with 4-speed, power steering and power brakes — in good condition, with just 26,100 miles on the odometer.
What Went Wrong: When the owner learned that Hurricane Isabel was headed toward Baltimore, MD, where he lives, he raised his car by putting it up on blocks. Despite his precautions, when the hurricane slammed the East Coast, water still rose past the bottom of his doors, resulting in damage to the carpets and some minor electrical glitches to sort out.
But the bill, which amounted to $567.28, was far less than most flood claims. And that’s because this owner did everything he could to protect his car before the storm.
Don’t Let it Happen to You: If you’re near the coast, it’s a good idea to have an evacuation plan in place.
Evacuation Plan Checklist
- Make a list of all necessary phone numbers.
- Note how you’ll move your cars: drive, trailer or hire a transport company.
- Choose a backup person to drive your car to the safe area if you’re not able.
- Keep the address of the safe location and directions on hand.
- Outline an alternate route in case a disaster blocks your original route.
- Note how long it will take to move all vehicles to your safe spot.
- Make sure your car is operational and has enough gas to get to your safe spot.
